India's space programme is one of the most cost-effective in the world. India has gained global recognition for successfully launching lunar probes, constructing satellites, transporting foreign satellites, and even reaching Mars. The global space economy is currently valued at approximately US$ 360 billion. India is the 4th nation to enter the elite space power club with an anti-satellite weapon. Despite being one of the world's few spacefaring nations, India accounts for only around 2% of the global space industry. Last year in 2022, there were 180 orbital launches, which is more than double the 86 launches five years prior. All major economies are striving to explore and exploit space. This is not restricted to government-sponsored space programmes. Private space exploration has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors. Under the umbrella of a new organisation called IN-SPACe, India's business sector, including start-ups and diversifying established firms, would be able to take part in the country's space journey.
Within the global space economy, the private sector has played an increasingly important role in other spacefaring countries over the last two decades. To fully unlock the potential of India's youth and entrepreneurs, the Prime Minister has emphasised the importance of encouraging private sector participation in all areas of high technology, including space. Promoting the private sector will allow the Indian space programme to stay cost competitive in the global space market, resulting in the creation of numerous jobs in space and other related areas. The effective use of space technologies has the potential to revolutionise government services while also accelerating development initiatives. The 'outer space' can be used to spark scientific curiosity in young people and urge them to pursue academic careers in STEM fields.
Indian Space Background
The Indian National Committee for Space Research ("INCOSPAR") was established under the Department of Atomic Energy in 1962, marking India's first entry into space research and exploration. INCOSPAR was superseded in 1969 by the Indian Space Research Organisation ("ISRO"), with the goal of using space technology to advance India's position in the worldwide competition of space exploration. Furthermore, the Department of Space and the Space Commission (DSSC) was legally established in 1972.
With the additional resources provided by the DSSC, ISRO developed the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, and launched it with Soviet Union assistance in 1975 as the country's first achievement in space. This resulted in a better understanding of satellite technology and related research, including TV broadcasting through the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) programme.
In 1980, Rohini became the first Indian satellite to be successfully launched into orbit by India using an indigenously built launch vehicle, SLV-3. Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to go into space as part of a three-member Soviet Indian crew in 1984. Since then, India has expanded its space programme to include communication, broadcasting, meteorology, defence, GEO satellites, astronomy, cartography, academic research, and even exploration of the Moon via two Chandrayaan missions and of Mars via the Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission.
The number of launches undertaken by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) during 2021-22 to 2023-24 (planned) is as follows:
S.No. |
Mission |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
1. |
Earth Observation Satellites |
2 |
3* |
2 |
2. |
Communication Satellites |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3. |
Navigation Satellites |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4. |
Space Science Satellites |
0 |
0 |
3 |
5. |
Technology Demonstrator |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6. |
PSLV |
1 |
2 |
4 |
7. |
GSLV |
1 |
0 |
2 |
8. |
LVM3 |
0 |
2* |
1 |
9. |
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle |
0 |
2* |
1 |
10. |
Gaganyaan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
4 |
9 |
15 |
Note: *Including the missions expected to be achieved by March 2023
Source: Department of Space
Present Scenario
India currently has two significant satellite systems in operation. The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System (IRS) is utilised for monitoring and managing natural deposits, and the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) is used for telecommunications, television transmission, and meteorological services. India has the world's largest network of remote-sensing satellites for civil use. It comprises a plethora of satellites designed to fulfil national needs. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), one of two current launch vehicles, is primarily used to launch experiment satellites, remote sensing payloads, and payloads weighing up to 1,600 kg into polar or low Earth orbits. Second, India has developed a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) that can deliver satellites weighing up to 2,200 kg into orbit.
Space Centres in India
International Cooperation
The Indian space programme has always prioritised international collaboration. ISRO has signed over 25 agreements encompassing various space technology and services.
Internationally, ISRO is active in sharing its expertise and satellite data for natural disaster management through multi-agency organisations like as the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters, Sentinel Asia, and UNSPIDER. The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN OOSA) has also established the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) in India.
As ISRO's capabilities improve, the scope of international cooperation broadens and diversifies. ISRO/DOS and India have signed space cooperation documents with space agencies from 61 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russia, Sao-Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sultanate of Oman, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Viet Nam) and 5 multinational bodies (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts – ECMWF; European Commission – EC, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites - EUMETSAT, European Space Agency – ESA; and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation – SAARC).
Business Milestones
As part of this mandate, NSIL signed a contract with M/s HAL [Lead Partner of the M/s HAL and L&T consortia] to manufacture five PSLVs. The first wholly Indian-made PSLV will be delivered by 2024, with succeeding vehicles arriving every six months.
Indian Space Sector - Capacity Building
ISRO has transferred over 363 technologies to over 250 industries across India. ISRO has signed an MOU with NSIL to transfer ISRO's technologies.
Source: Department of Space
ISRO has over 223 active patents, 73 copyrights, and 13 trademarks. In 2022-23, 87 patent applications are being examined, and 21 are being drafted by patent attorneys before being filed at the patent office.
Source: Department of Space
ISRO established the RESPOND (Sponsored Research) programme in the 1970s to encourage universities to participate and contribute to various space-related research activities. This initiative provides financial and technical assistance to Indian academia for research and development activities associated with Space Science, Space Technology, and Space Applications. The RESPOND plan intends to strengthen the academic foundation and produce high-quality people resources and facilities at academic institutions to support India's space mission. ISRO has also established nine Space Technology Cells (STC) at prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) - Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, Roorkee, and Delhi; the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; and the Joint Research Programme with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU, Pune). In 2022-23, 34 sponsored projects have been successfully completed.
S.No. |
Name of the STC/JRP |
Number of Projects |
||
New |
Ongoing |
Completed |
||
1. |
IISc Bengaluru |
14 |
23 |
15 |
2. |
IIT Bombay |
5 |
21 |
1 |
3. |
IIT Kanpur |
0 |
30 |
0 |
4. |
IIT Madras |
2 |
21 |
9 |
5. |
IIT Roorkee |
8 |
13 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
29 |
108 |
25 |
Source: Department of Space
It is an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision. The policy aims to form a framework for the private sector to use ISRO facilities for a small charge and also encourages them to invest in creating new infrastructure for the sector. The operational part of ISRO’s missions will be moved to the NewSpace India Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space.
Road Ahead
Private firms including SpaceX, Blue Origin, etc have revolutionised the global space market via innovation and superior technology, cutting prices and turnaround time. However, in India, the private sector participants have been limited to serving as vendors or suppliers to the government's space programme. It is vital to allow commercial firms in the Indian space sector to establish themselves as independent participants capable of end-to-end space activities. The Indian Space Policy 2023 would lead the way forward by providing much-needed clarity in space reforms and augmenting private industry participation to promote the country's space economic opportunity. It will institutionalise private sector participation in the space industry, with ISRO focussing on advanced space technology research and development. The future of the Indian space sector is vibrant with several major initiatives and projects in progress. With continuing government funding and private-sector collaboration, India is poised to make an indelible imprint in the field of space exploration and technology.